MAN JAILED FOR SEX ASSAULT ON SLEEPING WOMAN
A man from Kirkby has been imprisoned after a jury conviction for sexually assaulting a woman while she was sleeping.The case was conducted at Liverpool Crown Court, which heard that Ryan Canavan, aged 29, entered the woman’s bedroom following an evening they both spent at the same address in 2022.
It was revealed that Canavan had consumed about a dozen cans of beer and used cannabis before the assault.
According to the court, the woman went to sleep alone and was awakened at around 6am to find Canavan touching her breasts beneath her clothes and placing his hand down her jeans.
She was visibly upset and frightened, running downstairs crying and shouting, but Canavan followed her and then exposed himself.
Prosecutor Henry Riding explained that Canavan made remarks to the woman when confronted, but she was able to escape and reported the incident to police.
Canavan was subsequently charged and appeared in court.
Canavan denied the allegations throughout the trial, claiming that no assault had occurred.
Nonetheless, the jury found him guilty of one count of sexual assault.
The court also learned that Canavan had previously worked as a mechanic before founding a business focused on restoring classic vehicles like Volkswagen camper vans and Beetles.
Defence solicitor Gerald Baxter described his client as someone who had built a successful enterprise and enjoyed a generally positive reputation in his work.
Baxter suggested that substance use might have contributed to Canavan’s behaviour, portraying him as a young man who was feeling dejected and anxious, and maintaining his innocence despite the serious verdict.
The judge, Recorder Jeremy Lasker, characterized the assault as a serious offence and sentenced Canavan to 18 months in prison.
He stated that Canavan had entered the bedroom with the intention of committing a sexual offence against a vulnerable sleeping woman.
The judge noted that Canavan believed his actions would not wake her but acknowledged this was a mistake.
The impact on the victim was significant, and the judge condemned Canavan’s actions, especially given he followed her downstairs and exposed himself.
The ruling emphasized that women, regardless of age, should not be subjected to such treatment and recognized the lasting psychological effects on the victim.
Addressing rehabilitation, Recorder Lasker said that Canavan continued to deny the misconduct, which hampered efforts by probation officers.
After sentencing, Canavan reacted emotionally, questioning repeatedly, “Why?
This is a nightmare.
Why?” and denying that anything had happened; he also mentioned he had a business to oversee.
A supporter in the public gallery cheered him and declared love as he was taken away.
Furthermore, Canavan was given a ten-year restraining order and ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.
The judge concluded that because the victim was asleep at the time, she was extremely vulnerable and that Canavan could only have accessed her bedroom intending to commit a sexual offence.
